Packing device

ABSTRACT

A packing device of the invention comprises a base sheet of material having at least one fold line and a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to the base sheet and having opposite ends which are fixed to the base sheet. The sheet, when bent at the fold line, forms a space between the film and the sheet into which an article is inserted. After the article is inserted into the space between the film and the sheet, the sheet is bent at the fold line in an opposite direction to draw the plastic film taut over the bent sheet and article whereby the article is held between the plastic film and the carton sheet.

United States Patent [191 Haibara [4 1 Sept. 16, 1975 [22] Filed: Aug. 29, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 392,425

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 6, 1972 Japan 47-1041951U] 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1933 Rosen 206/4533 1/1936 Gilfillan 206/4514 12/1954 Bergstein 229/40 5/1955 Yount 229/40 3,111,223 11/1963 Jacobi 229/39 B 3,298,506 1/1967 Reiner et a1. 206/4533 3,334,734 8/1967 Meyers 206/4531 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmLewis H. Eslinger; Alvin Sinderbrand [57] ABSTRACT A packing device of the invention comprises a base sheet of material having at least one fold line and a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to the base sheet and having opposite ends which are fixed to the base sheet. The sheet, when bent at the fold line, forms a space between the film and the sheet into which an article is inserted. After the article is inserted into the space between the film and the sheet, the sheet is bent at the fold line in an opposite direction to draw the plastic film taut over the bent sheet and article whereby, the article is held between the plastic film and the carton sheet.

6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEF I 8 i975 sum 2 or 4 FIG.5

FIG.6

PATENTEI'E 1 53975 3, 905,474

saw 3 [1F 4 PACKING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a packing device and more particularly to a novel packing device comprising a base sheet having at least one fold line and a plastic film thereover. v

2. Description of the Prior Art As is generally known, a cushioning or damping effect is generally considered preferable in the packing of electrical apparatuses for storage or trans-shipment. In

the conventional packing of electrical apparatuses, a block-like or sheet-like damping element made of damping material such as foamed plastic material formed according to the shape of the particular electrical apparatus, is employed and the damping element is fitted or attached to suitable portions of the electrical apparatus to be packed in a container such as a carton box. However, in this conventional technique, the damping element cannot be used for different kinds of electrical apparatuses, because the shape and the size of the damping element are restricted to the unique dimensions of the particular apparatus for which it was formed. Moreover, the conventional packing device has the disadvantages that larger storage spaces are required for the packed apparatus and for the storage of the damping elements because the damping element itself has a relatively large volume.

In an alternative packing technique a small article such as a knife or a spoon is packed by disposing a plastic sheet over the article on a carton sheet. In this technique, the plastic sheet is often thick and is fixed on the carbon sheet by heating a film of adhesive of synthetic resin.

However, in carrying out this technique, a significant quantity of adhesive is required and the heating process requires more labor for packing the article. When a user removes the article from the packing, he must break the carton sheet or the plastic sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other disadvantages are overcome by the present invention of a foldable packing device comprising a base sheet having at least one fold line and a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to the sheet and having opposite ends which are fixed to the base sheet.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel packing device.

Another object is to provide a packing device in which an article can easily be inserted into or withdrawn from the device.

A further object is to provide a packing device in which an overlying plastic film has opposite ends which are fixed to a base sheet, the latter having at least one fold line, and moreover wherein an article packed in the device can be displayed therein.

A further object is to provide a packing device which can be used to pack interchangeable articles having different sizes and shapes and which can repeatedly be used.

A further object is to provide a packing device comprising a base sheet having a plurality of fold lines and an overlying plastic film fixed at the respective ends of a plurality of portions of the base sheet, in which a number of articles can be inserted into or removed from the packing device and wherein packed articles can be contained in a carton box and consume minimal space therein.

The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily under stood upon consideration of the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 7

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packing device ready for use according to first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the packing device of FIG l in use to receive an article;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an article that is packed within the packing device,

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of a portion of the packing device shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the use of the packing device of FIG. 3A to display the packed article;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a packing device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the use of the packing device of FIG. 5 to pack at least one article therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a packing device according to a still further embodiment of the invention; 7

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the use of the packing device of FIG. 7 to display a packed article;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a packing device according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a packing deviceaccording to a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout,

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are perspective views showing a packing device according to first embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fold line 2 is formed on a rectangular base sheet l made of sheet material such as heavy duty paper, cardboard or other material conventionally used in a packing carton. The fold line 2 is formed on one side of the base sheet 1, for example, the bottom surface and the base sheet 1 is comprised of two portions 1a and 1b having difierent areas which share a common boundary formed by the fold line 2,

respectively. As described below, one portion In is I adapted to receive an article to be packed, and the other portion 1b is adapted to be folded or bent. A film 3 made of transparent sheet of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene is disposed in overlying relation with the base sheet 1. Opposite end portions of the film 3 are fixed at respective portions 1:: of the base sheet 1; the affixed portions being nearly parallel with the fold line 2. In this embodiment, the film 3 adheres to the base sheet 1 by an adhesive, or alternatively it is. welded to the base sheet 1 which is coated with vinyl-chloride by a heating and pressing operation.

To pack an article A, for example, a portable radioset, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion 1b of the base sheet 1 is bent or folded upward, toward the side of the film 3, at the fold line 2. Consequently, a relatively large space is formed between the upper surface of the base sheet 1 and the film 3, into which the article A may be inserted. Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the portion 1b of the base sheet 1 is bent or folded in the opposite direction toward the lower surface of the base sheet 1. The bending of the base sheet 1, as shown in FIG. 3B, draws the film taut over the upper surface thereof, and strongly tensions the film 3 by the thickness of the base sheet 1, whereby the article A is firmly held between the base sheet 1 and the film 3.

The article A may be withdrawn from the packing device by following the above-described steps in the reverse order, and various articles can be repeatedly inserted into and withdrawn from the same packing device. Many of the articles A packed as shown in FIG. 3A can be stacked, or placed side by side in a container such as a carton box. The tendency of the folded portion lb of each packing device to unfold so as to return to the condition depicted in FIG. 1 produces repelling forces between the packing devices to thereby impart a suitable cushion effect to the packed articles in the container.

Moreover, as the film 3 is transparent, the article A can be displayed as packed in FIG. 3A. In the display, the base sheet 1 having the article A thereon is placed on a rack B so that the portions 1a and 1b of the base sheet 1 are approximately V-shaped, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the weight of the article A maintains the approximate V-shape of the portions 1a and lb of the base sheet 1. Thus, as the article A is visible through the film 3, the article A packed as abovementioned can be readily displayed.

In order to maintain more securely the packing condition as shown in FIG. 3A, as occasion demands, the folded portion 1b may be attached to the lower surface of the portion la of the base sheet 1 by using double sided adhesive tape or any other conventional means.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In this embodiment, three folded lines 12a, 12b and 120 parallel with one another are formed on a base sheet 11. The base sheet 11 is thus comprised of four portions 1 10, I lb, 1 1d and He that are bordered by the fold lines 12a, 12b and 120 as shown. At least two slits 14 are formed substantially perpendicular to the fold line 12a, and near the longitudinal edge of the base sheet 11. These slits serve to define a pair of nearly stepped standing portions between the portions 11a and 11b when these portions are folded as described below. A film 13, similar to the film 3, overlies the base sheet and is fixed to both end portions 11c, l lc of the base sheet 11, as in the first embodiment.

In the use of the packing device to pack an article, as

shown in FIG. 6, the portion 11b is folded upwardly at the fold line 12a relative to the portion 11a such that these adjacent portions are substantially L-shaped. Next, the portions 1 1d and 1 1e are folded downward at fold lines 12b and 120 so as to be in contact with at least part of the lower surfaces of at least one of the portions 11b and 110, respectively, whereby the film 13 is tensioned over the article. In the folding operation, the pair of stepped standing portions 15, defined by the pair of slits 14 and the longitudinal edges of the base sheet, are formed. The article A can be inserted and securely held between the pair of stepped standing portions 15. Moreover, in this embodiment and additional article A such as a dry cell or an earphone cord or other device that may be used with the article A, can be held between the portion 11d and the film 13. In such manner, a plurality of articles can be packed in one packing device by utilizing a plurality of portions of the base sheet.

Turning now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a further embodiment of the invention is shown.

In this embodiment, four fold lines 22a, 22b, and 220, and 22d nearly parallel with one another are formed on a base sheet 21. The base sheet 21 is thus comprised of five portions 21a, 21b, 21d, 21a and 21f that are bordered by the fold lines 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d. A flap 25 is formed on the edge of the portion 21f, and a slit 26 for receiving the flap 25 is formed on the portion 21a. A film 23 similar to the film 3 overlies the base sheet and is fixed to both end portions 210 of the base sheet 21 as in the aforedescribed embodiments.

In the use of the packing device to pack the article A, the various portions of the base sheet 21 are folded in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6. The filni 23 is thus tensioned over the article A. An additional article A can be retained between the portion 21d and the film. Furthermore the article A can be displayed, as shown in FIG. 8, flap by inserting the 25 into the slit 26, whereby the portions 21a, 21b, 21d, 21e and 21f of the base sheet 21 are firmly held relatively to one another and the article A can thus be securely displayed. The portion 2le now serves as a stable support base for the packing device that is used to display the packed article.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment, a base sheet 31 can be considered to be divided into plural segments or blocks, each of which consists of four portions 31a, 31b, 31d and 3le formed by respective fold lines, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A plurality of blocks 0 are connected in series with one another through respective connecting portions 31g. A film 33 similar to the film 3 overlies the base sheet and is fixed to each of the connecting portions 31g corresponding to each of block 0.

In the use of the packing device to pack an article, the article A and the additional article A are inserted between the portion 310 and the film 33, and between the portion 31d and the film 33, respectively, in a block 0. A relatively long section of the base sheet 31 is folded in serpentine fashion along the fold lines, as shown in FIG. 9, whereby the article A and the additional article A are firmly held between the portion 31a and the film 33, and between the portion 31d and the film 33. Thus, the plural blocks c of the packing devices permit a number of articles to be packed in one packing device. In this embodiment, the articles packed in the series of connected blocks are readily contained in a carton box.

Moreover in the FIG. 9 embodiment, a perforated or partially punched line may be formed on or proximate to each fold line on portions 31g of the blocks c so that a block can be separated individually to facilitate individual uses, such as sales of the packed articles. It may be appreciated that, as described above with respect to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the portions 31a and 3le of each block c, may be attached to each other by using a doublesided adhesive tape, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of the invention is shown.

In this embodiment, a relatively long base sheet 41 is formed of a plurality of blocks 0, each of which consists of two portions and a connecting portion, formed by respective fold lines. Two portions 41a and 41b, as shown, are folded in approximately V-shaped, similar to FIG. 4, to form one block 0. A plurality of the blocks 0 are connected in series with one another -through respective connecting portions 41g. A film 43 overlies the base sheet and is fixed to the respective blocks c thereof. As in the FIG. 9 embodiment, the plural blocks c permit a number of articls A to be packed in one packing device. Also in this embodimerit, perforated or partially punched lines 47 may be formed, such as on portions 41;; in such a manner that each block 0' can be separated from the series connection.

In the present invention, as described above, the film is tensioned by folding back at least one portion of the base sheet so that the bottom surfaces of the folded portions face each other, whereby the article to be packed can be firmly held between the base sheet and the film.

Therefore, since the article is inserted between the base sheet and the film when the film is slackened, the article can be easily inserted into and withdrawn from the packing device and therefore work efficiency in the packing operation is promoted.

Since the article is held between the base sheet and the film, utilizing the tension of the film, various articles with different shapes and sizes can be packed in the same packing device and moreover the same packing device can be repeatedly used.

A suitable cushion effect can be obtained by the repelling force derived from the tendency of the folded portion of the base sheet to unfold and so a higher damping effect is possible.

Since the materials used for the base sheet and the film are relatively thin, the volume consumed by the packed articles is minimized. Moreover, since the unused packing devices can be piled up in flattened or plate-like configuration in storage, they are not bulky.

Conveniently if the film is transparent, an article packed in the packing device, can be readily displayed, as is.

Since the packing device is comprised merely of a base sheet and a film, it is simple in construction and to manufacture, and it is low-priced.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A packing device comprising a base sheet having top and bottom surfaces, a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to said top surface of the base sheet and fixed to the latter at least at opposite end portions thereof, at least one fold line formed on said base sheet to divide said base sheet into at least two portions in such manner that one of said portions of the base sheet can be folded both upward toward said top surface and downward toward said bottom surface, whereby an article can be inserted into a space formed between said base sheet and said film when said one portion is folded upward and said article can be held between said base sheet and said film by the tension of said film when said one portion is folded downward, and at least two slits formed in said base sheet and intersecting with said fold line substantially at right angles to define at least two upstanding portions of said base sheet contacting side portions of said article when said one portion of said base sheet is folded downward.

2. A packing device comprising a base sheet having top and bottom surfaces, a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to saidtop surface of the base sheet and fixed to the latter at least at opposite end portions thereof, at least one fold line formed on said base sheet to divide said base sheet into at least two portions in such manner that one of said portions of the base sheet can be folded both upward toward said top and downward toward said bottom surface, whereby an article can be inserted into a space formed between said base sheet and said film when said one portion is folded upward and said article can be held between said base sheet and said film by the tension of said film when said one portion is folded downward, and a plurality of further fold lines formed on said base sheet parallel with said one fold line to divide said base sheet into corresponding further portions, whereby an additional article can be held between said film and a portion of said base sheet defined by a pair of said fold lines.

3. A packing device comprising a base sheet formed of a plurality of serially connected blocks each of which blocks is provided with at least three parallel fold lines formed on said base sheet; and a plastic film overlying said base sheet and fixed to opposite ends of each of said blocks, whereby an article can be held with each block between said film and a portion of said base sheet defined by at least one of said three fold lines.

4. A packing device according to claim 3, wherein a perforated line isformed on an interconnecting portion linking adjacent blocks of said base sheet, whereby said blocks can be individually separated.

5. A packing device according to claim 4 wherein each block is provided with four parallel fold lines to define five portions wherein a first of said portions comprises said interconnecting portion, adjacent second and third portions cooperate with said film to receive and hold a first article, a fourth portion cooperates with said film to receive and hold a second article and a fifth portion comprises a foldable portion for tensioning the film over said block when folded downward.

6. A packing device according to claim 4 wherein each block includes first and second adjacent portions defined by one of said fold lines, one of said adjacent portions being foldable upward to enable an article to be placed on the other of said adjacent portions and foldable downward in approximately V-shaped configuration to tension said film over said article. 

1. A packing device comprising a base sheet having top and bottom surfaces, a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to said top surface of the base sheet and fixed to the latter at least at opposite end portions thereof, at least one fold line formed on said base sheet to divide said base sheet into at least two portions in such manner that one of said portions of the base sheet can be folded both upward toward said top surface and downward toward said bottom surface, whereby an article can be inserted into a space formed between said base sheet and said film when said one portion is folded upward and said article can be held between said base sheet and said film by the tension of said film when said one portion is folded downward, and at least two slits formed in said base sheet and intersecting with said fold line substantially at right angles to define at least two upstanding portions of said base sheet contacting side portions of said article when said one portion of said base sheet is folded downward.
 2. A packing device comprising a base sheet having top and bottom surfaces, a plastic film disposed in overlying relation with respect to said top surface of the base sheet and fixed to the latter at least at opposite end portions thereof, at least one fold line formed on said base sheet to divide said base sheet into at least two portions in such manner that one of said portions of the base sheet can be folded both upward toward said top and downward toward said bottom surface, whereby an article can be inserted into a space formed between said base sheet and said film when said one portion is folded upward and said article can be held between said base sheet and said film by the tension of said film when said one portion is folded downward, and a plurality of further fold lines formed on said base sheet parallel with said one fold line to divide said base sheet into corresponding further portions, whereby an additional article can be held between said film and a portion of said base sheet defined by a pair of said fold lines.
 3. A packing device compRising a base sheet formed of a plurality of serially connected blocks each of which blocks is provided with at least three parallel fold lines formed on said base sheet; and a plastic film overlying said base sheet and fixed to opposite ends of each of said blocks, whereby an article can be held with each block between said film and a portion of said base sheet defined by at least one of said three fold lines.
 4. A packing device according to claim 3, wherein a perforated line is formed on an interconnecting portion linking adjacent blocks of said base sheet, whereby said blocks can be individually separated.
 5. A packing device according to claim 4 wherein each block is provided with four parallel fold lines to define five portions wherein a first of said portions comprises said interconnecting portion, adjacent second and third portions cooperate with said film to receive and hold a first article, a fourth portion cooperates with said film to receive and hold a second article and a fifth portion comprises a foldable portion for tensioning the film over said block when folded downward.
 6. A packing device according to claim 4 wherein each block includes first and second adjacent portions defined by one of said fold lines, one of said adjacent portions being foldable upward to enable an article to be placed on the other of said adjacent portions and foldable downward in approximately V-shaped configuration to tension said film over said article. 